If you've done everything you can think of to brighten up your photos but somehow they still end up a little dark / gray, find out if your camera is able to adjust the Exposure Value or EV Compensation. Typically, it's a menu option like this:

Look for EV +/- somewhere in your camera's menu options

On some cameras, there's a little "+/-" button on the back of the camera. Check your owner's manual to find out the details for your camera model.

By adjusting the EV compensation, the camera will either quicken the shutter speed a bit to underexpose the image or slow the shutter speed to overexpose the image:

Check to see if your camera has a "burst" setting that automatically takes three photos in a row - one underexposed, one neutral and one overexposed. Afterward, you'll be able to choose the best of the bunch and delete the rest. If your camera doesn't have that setting, you can learn how to change your EV compensation setting on the fly and take 3 successive shots for each photo setup.

Making this a regular practice will save you a lot of time while you're figuring out the optimal exposure settings for taking great photos of your small objects!

What was your experience when using the EV compensation function on your camera? Please leave a comment and let us know!

Doing anything out of the 'Auto' mode scares me to death...I think I'm so frightened I'm going to adjust something and never be able to get it back the way it was!! Anyway, after pouring through my manual I finally found this setting and it worked! So thank you for that...I just need now to work out the big 'P' (program) on my little Canon Powershot! I'm sure it's capable of doing so much more than I give it any credit for. Thank you again.Judy

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